Sarcopenia

Excerpt

Sarcopenia is a musculoskeletal disease generally defined by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, particularly in elderly populations. The diagnosis of sarcopenia encompasses decreased levels of the following 3 traits: muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance. Such musculoskeletal degeneration may impede daily activities and demonstrates predictive value regarding unfavorable postoperative outcomes, and increased complication rates, mortality, and morbidity in major surgical procedures.

Additionally, sarcopenia is strongly associated with a greater incidence of falls and increased fracture risk. Furthermore, decreased muscle mass or muscle function, both criteria for sarcopenia, are risk factors for loss of independence in patients over the age of 90 years old. Sarcopenia has become an increasingly studied condition and recently received a specific International Classification of Disease (ICD) 10 code to better distinguish it from similar or co-existing diseases that manifest with muscular wasting.